There are few makers who encourage and champion the creativity of others quite like this one. In a day and age where comparison breeds cut-throat competition, and the battle-cry of individualism too often silences the sweet anthem of community and collaboration, she boldly breaks the trend and sings the praises of her creative comrades.
We connected first on Instagram, quickly falling in love with each other’s unique creative offerings and passion for the Creator. While her lettering & wood wonders make me want to sing, her story leaves me speechless. It is pure redemption.
Meet Shannon…
WHAT’S YOUR STORY, MORNING GLORY?
Just like everyone else I’ve had my fair share of struggles. From being bullied as a kid for where I grew up and for my family not having a lot of money or nice things, to being in controlling relationships on and off for many years.
One of the biggest struggles I had was meeting a man online who was not who I thought he was and he was definitely not who he said he was. What I thought was a kind man ended up being a monster who tried to trap me by impregnating me against my will. He controlled me, abused me, and broke me down mentally and emotionally to nothing. He took my car, my money, and told me that if I left him he would come after me and my family. I lived in utter fear.
Thankfully I was able to get the cops to rescue me from him and by the Grace of God he stayed away from me and my son and my husband fought to adopt my son(his step son) so we will never have to be around that monster again.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT YOURSELF DURING THIS TIME?
I discovered how strong I was and how God gave me strength to make it through. I also discovered how naive I was and unaware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing that are in the World.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT GOD’S CHARACTER IN THE PROCESS?
I discovered Love. Love is the word that best defines God’s character and it’s what He most wants to see in us. God’s love is also the foundation for our love for others.
WHAT HELPED YOU OR SERVED YOU MOST PRACTICALLY IN THIS SEASON?
My faith and knowing that God sees my fear and my pain. He sees every tear that falls and He mended my broken heart and spirit.
WHAT DO YOU WISH FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNEW ABOUT THIS TIME?
I wish they knew so much. I was living in fear and in danger and I was scared if I told them that he would come after me. He put so much fear in me that I was unable to tell anyone. I wish they would have listened after I got out of this situation instead of telling me that I shouldn’t have been so naive. I needed Grace and not lecturing.
HOW DID THIS EXPERIENCE SHAPE YOUR PASSION TODAY?
It’s molded me into the strong woman I am today. I now know that I went through that awful time so I could help empower women to stand up and to fight against domestic violence.
HOW DID IT IMPACT OR CLARIFY YOUR MISSION AND PURPOSE?
It has a huge impact on my mission. It is the heart behind all that I do for my Etsy shop and my Instagram. I want women to know how amazing they are and that they are a jewel in the eyes of Jesus despite what others have said about them.
IF YOU COULD SUM UP YOUR EXPERIENCE IN A SINGLE SENTENCE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I am redeemed, He set me free.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE STRUGGLING IN A SIMILAR SEASON?
I want to educate women about the dangers of meeting people online and to know that there are dangerous men out there just waiting to prey on innocent and naive women. I also want to give them hope and show them Grace if they’ve been in a bad relationship like that or are going through one now. I want to give them strength to get out of those relationships and to seek help from local law enforcement or crisis outreach centers and then also to get counseling after. I want them to know that they are not alone and they can rise above this and be an amazing and strong woman. They can also find an amazing man to love them and to treat them with the respect and love that they deserve just like I have when I married my husband
IS THERE A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE YOU’VE CLUNG TO?
Late at night when I was afraid or when I would go out in public and fear that I would see that monster who hurt me, I would say 2 timothy 1:7 over and over again ” for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” and that’s the verse that helped me through. That verse gave me peace.
WHAT DOES THE WORD COURAGE MEAN TO YOU, AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN EVERYDAY LIFE?
It means everything to me. Courage is what drove me to call law enforcement that night that I was fearful that I was going to lose my life from a terrible man. Courage is what drove me to protect and raise my sweet baby boy as a single mom when the World judged me for having a baby out of wedlock. Courage is what drove me to graduate with my Bachelor’s degree as a single mom when the World told me I would fail. Courage now drives me to inspire other women to be courageous and stand up for what’s right. It’s one day telling their children how Jesus gave them the strength and the courage that they needed to get through the hardest times and Jesus will do the same for them as they go through life.
WHAT ARE TWO THINGS YOU’RE LOVING RIGHT NOW?
Decorating for Christmas and Hallmark Christmas movies!
THANKS SO MUCH, SHANNON, WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE FOR READERS TO FIND YOU ONLINE?
On Instagram you can find me at @simplyshannonleigh and my Etsy shop, Redeeming Love Design.
